The Sevenoaks Chronicle has changed its masthead for only the second time in its 126-year history – marking the end of a gradual redesign of the paper.

The new titlepiece launched in this week’s issue, and follows a number of changes which have been rolled out over recent weeks.

And the redesign itself was geared towards showcasing a series of editorial changes made in the Northcliffe-owned weekly over the past 18 months.

The new masthead

There are now more pages of news and a centre spread of pictures.

The quirkier side of Sevenoaks life is also being celebrated, via a cartoonist and a pithy columnist, while the ever-popular nostalgia section has been expanded.

Bosses at the Chronicle, part of Courier Media Group, wanted to redesign the paper to bring readers’ attention to the editorial changes in a bid to boost sales and give the paper a fresh look.

Chronicle community editor Ian Read said: “It sounds cliched but we have listened to what readers were saying and acted accordingly.

“It’s hardly a revolutionary approach but more local news, pictures and features, packaged in a brighter, more modern way, is what we are all about.

“There is no excuse these days for local papers to look dull and readers in Sevenoaks deserve to have a paper at the heart of their community which reflects their lives, both in terms of content and appearance.”

A working party, with representatives from all departments at the paper, was set up to ensure the redesign went smoothly.

Apart from improving the paper itself, the working party has co-ordinated the rebranding of shop fronts, points of sale and billboards across the circulation area, as well as in-house ads and promotions.

A promotional drive is now underway to ensure the new-look Chronicle gets into as many new readers’ hands as possible.

Courier Media Group editor in chief John McCready said: “I am delighted with the changes that Ian and his team have made. The Chronicle has a proud history and a strong tradition of striving for excellence.

“We have now positioned it at the heart of the community it serves. Our aim is to make local matter more. Watch this space.”

The three-editon Chronicle has a circulation of 13,254 (ABC, Jan to June 2007).